I had truly forgotten how exciting postseason baseball can be until last night. I also forgot how exhausting it can be. Last night was emotionally draining. I'm actually glad there's an off-day today.
In thinking about the last two games I was wondering what the most valuable part of the Braves has been, and without a doubt the difference for Atlanta has been in the bullpen. Here is the breakdown:
| IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
|
| Giants Starters |
15.2 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
20 |
| Braves Starters |
9.1 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
11 |
| Giants Bullpen |
4.1 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
5 |
| Braves Bullpen |
9.2 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
Lincecum and Cain have been terrific, but the Giants' pen hasn't gotten the job done -- and that's rather surprising since their pen is the second best pen in baseball. Of course, the Braves bullpen was the third-best bullpen in baseball this year.
The Braves bullpen's execution and the Giants bullpen's lack of execution is the difference in this series being tied at one game apiece and the Giants being up by two games.
This Braves bullpen is about to be tested in a way it hasn't been all season, as they will go the rest of this series without their anchor, closer Billy Wagner. He strained his left oblique muscle in the tenth inning of last night's game and walked off the field with the help of the trainer.
The Braves will have the ability to replace Wagner on the roster before Sunday's game, and they will likely choose to activate Takashi Saito, but he has been battling his own injury woes. If Saito cannot pitch, the Braves could activate Jair Jurrjens, who has also been out the last two weeks with an injury, or Scott Proctor, who traveled with the team to San Francisco in case he was needed as an injury replacement.
Whoever is activated to replace Wagner, it will likely be rookie Craig Kimbrel ascending to the closer role. He seems to be the hot hand in the bullpen right now, but the Braves could also use another rookie, Jonny Venters, to close.
Chipper Jones, Kris Medlen, Martin Prado, Jair Jurrjens, Eric O'Flaherty, Takashi Saito, and now Billy Wagner. That's an All-Star team on the disabled list, and yet still the Braves play on.
0 recs | 50 comments
I love our bullpen
Even when Wagner goes down, we have Kimbrel or Venters to replace him with and not really skip a beat, that’s a good problem to have
KJDH2154 - October 9, 2010
I vote we officially change Craig's name to...
Kraig Kimbrel.
Scott Coleman - October 9, 2010
Crag Kimbrel.
Bronn - October 9, 2010
Aggro Crag Kimbrel
tcstew - October 9, 2010
So what was your buddy's response last night after the game??
KJDH2154 - October 9, 2010
Never got a text back. Funny how that works.
Scott Coleman - October 9, 2010
That is wierd
I asked my friend, who is also a Giants fan, whether or not he thought Ankiel’s ball had landed yet…..still waiting on a response to that one too
KJDH2154 - October 9, 2010
And
I asked my buddy whether he thought Bochy blew it by bringing Wilson in for 6 outs for the first time in his career. Never heard back.
He must be out of coverage.
Yakker - October 9, 2010
It wasnt the first time in his career.
Hes pitched two innings two times already this year.
Tim Goad - October 9, 2010
True—meant for the 6-out SV. Don’t think they’ve called on him to do that, right?
Yakker - October 9, 2010
They werent save situations
but in both instances he gave up hits and in one game a run. He seems to be like Rivera, a guy who really is pushed if left in past one inning.
Tim Goad - October 9, 2010
except Rivera has a tons of + 3 out saves in the playoffs…
actually he is 10th all-time in saves of more than one inning (and that includes pitchers like Goosage and Fingers, who exclusively got saves of more than one inning). (and that information is over a year old he could have moved up the ranking since then. )
hate on all the Yankees you want ( I do my best to)…there is nothing you can say bad about Rivera…he is a true historical figure in terms of baseball. He is the best reliever of all time.
Swo12bv - October 10, 2010
He's also great at
chalupa-eating, apparently.
UMDBHIK - October 10, 2010
Who is saying anything bad about Rivera?
Talk about jumping the gun and reading into something too much.
Tim Goad - October 10, 2010
Not a lot of people know this, but...
Rick Ankiel is actually composed of 90% titanium, incl. his entire head. Oh, I vote Kimbrel to close, Venters 7th, Moylan 8th (he’s looking good again)
joedub - October 9, 2010
Moylan seems to be a divisive subject around these parts.
Plenty of people are just looking for reasons to be mad at him half the time. He’ll get a soft ground ball, it’ll get booted, and people will start cussing out Moylan for it.
Bronn - October 9, 2010
Well that makes sense. He was pretty terrible for a stretch there, but I think he’s got it sorted out.
joedub - October 9, 2010
Exactly.
When he throws strikes (i.e., 90%+ of the time), he’s golden.
Sam Jethroe - October 9, 2010
I think we’ll take game 3. No idea about game 4. But all of these injuries are really racking up. I think Jurrjens should be activated.
jcm28 - October 9, 2010
I think i'd rather have Proctor
Just for the experience
707kid - October 9, 2010
I 2nd that
HudsonsBeard - October 9, 2010 via mobile
if being mediocre?
MikeTrain - October 9, 2010
Judging by how Kimbrel pitched last night, he HAS to be the closer. He was totally dominant.
heap16 - October 9, 2010 via mobile
Judging how he has pitched the last month or so...
Virginia9er - October 9, 2010
How long ago was that picture…. I don’t remember Venters with hair at all
JKowalek - October 9, 2010
Beginning of the season.
BullManUGA - October 9, 2010
kimbrel wasn't up then though?
JKowalek - October 9, 2010
He was up for a while at some point. Don’t remember who was down, but it was before EOF’s great mono spectacle of 2010.
Sarahbeth - October 10, 2010
definitely need Kimbrel as our closer
He’s been unstoppable.
HudsonsBeard - October 9, 2010 via mobile
BTW, i've got an extra ticket for tomorrows game
if anyone is interested.
Section 109.
HudsonsBeard - October 9, 2010 via mobile
He'll be portrayed by Shia LeBouf in the film.
Bronn - October 9, 2010
This has to be right
Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Saito on the postseason roster. Once he knocks some of the rust off, he could be a solid piece too.
Yakker - October 9, 2010
Can't believe how bad the injuries have been
Just gotta keep fighting. If the braves can scrape out 4-5 runs a night, they can make a deep run. Last night was just freakin awesome! Go Braves!!!
Frozen Fan - October 9, 2010 via mobile
Is Wags out for NLCS?
If we replace him now we can’t bring him back for NLCS. He would have to wait till the WS. If there is a chance he can come back we probably shouldn’t replace him right?
Bama_Ben - October 9, 2010
Yeah, but Cox has already said he's out of the NLCS.
So I guess the Braves are just going to have to make it to the WS, so Wags can pitch again.
Tarkus - October 9, 2010
Here comes the HR on MLBN!
Scott Coleman - October 9, 2010 via mobile
which HR? Did someone hit one last night?
/sarcasm
Tim Goad - October 9, 2010
I believe in Craig Kimbrel.
UMDBHIK - October 9, 2010
I believe in the Braves.
saipol - October 9, 2010
Kyle Farnsworth had best be last on the list
If Bobby goes to Kyle, I will lose my lunch. I really wonder what he thought when he was packaged with Ankiel for the infamous deadline trade… Apparently he likes using him but I cringe when he comes in to pitch. One hopes they turn to Kimbrel since that is what he was groomed to be. Venters is an AWESOME 8th inning guy… it has been his grooming and it sucks to lose Wagner but for Kimbrel to be compared to him, it’s time he step up to the plate (or in this case mound) and prove it. I can’t wait for the next game! Unfortunately here in england, we don’t have the luxury of baseball so I will have to get resourceful and find a way to watch it. Baseball and College football, really miss seeing both of them. :( (and no I don’t have AFN for any AF peeps out there)
Klemson Krash - October 9, 2010
You can listen if you can't watch
via freebaseballradio.com
I used it all season.
UMDBHIK - October 9, 2010
You are my
Hero! Thanks a ton… I will be trackin that down tomorrow… I’ll be “workin” on my master’s paper…
Klemson Krash - October 9, 2010
No problem. Glad to help.
UMDBHIK - October 9, 2010
I'm in Ireland and
every postseason game is being shown on ESPN America (which shows college football as well)
ByrneSupremacy - October 9, 2010
Thanks!
Stupid Sky charges us for those freakin channels… but i may have to relent and give them money if they are giving us those games. :-)
Klemson Krash - October 10, 2010
fortunately, ESPN America comes as default with our provider. However, I did purchase MLBTV throughout the regular season because Braves were on ESPN America so infrequently
ByrneSupremacy - October 10, 2010
anyone know if there will be BP at game 3?
letsgoblue86 - October 9, 2010
Great post, gondeee.
For our team to be in this position, with two chances to win at home and take the series to 7 games, is proof of their remarkable resilance and true grit.
fandave - October 10, 2010
???
If they win two at home the series is over.
UMDBHIK - October 10, 2010
Hrm...
someone’s math is terribly off… I think he’s projecting our WS win… but that won’t go to 7 games. We’ll beat the spankees in 5… :-) Here’s to hoping someone can slow that freakin team down.
Klemson Krash - October 10, 2010
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